OSU football: Moeller on the move
Speedy junior can play linebacker or fill in at nickel back
Sunday, May 3, 2009
By Tim May
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Ever since Tyler Moeller came into the life of Ohio State assistant coach Luke Fickell, he's been a hard-to-fit puzzle piece.
It started when the Buckeyes were putting together the recruiting class of 2006 and Fickell, OSU's linebackers coach, mentioned to coach Jim Tressel that he could use an undersized linebacker who could bring speed. Tressel quickly recommended Moeller, who played at Cincinnati Colerain.
"He threw film on and said, 'I like this guy. How about this guy?' " Fickell recalled. "I said, 'I wasn't saying 190 pounds, but I like him if you do.' "
What both liked was how Moeller played to the whistle in every video they watched. He might have been shy of 200 pounds then, but Colerain's ball-hawking linebacker was the Division I high school defensive player of the year in 2005.
Still, it left Fickell with a dilemma. What were the Buckeyes going to do with a player who had defensive back size but linebacker intensity? They made him a Star.
"Star" is OSU's moniker for the nickel back, a hybrid position used to get a fifth defensive back on the field on passing downs or against pass-heavy teams. Last season, coaches had their choice of players to fill the role.
Strong safety Jermale Hines could play nickel in passing situations; Moeller was used against teams that might spread the field but still run the ball. In other words, Moeller and Hines aren't exactly twins.
"Jermale is a very physical player. He's great in coverage," Moeller said. "And I'm a very physical player, and I'm OK in coverage. So we don't really fit in on one set position."
It also explains why the coaches moved Moeller back to linebacker during spring drills. He might play some nickel in the fall, but he spent most of his time at strong-side linebacker in the spring. And at 215 pounds, he excelled.
"I think I can make plays at linebacker," Moeller said. "I think I can handle the tight end. I also think I'm a good coverage guy. I guess I have a wide range of skills."